Wrapping machine



Patented Jan. 8, 1935 UNITED STATESv PATE-NT OFFICEv` wnAPPmG' MAcmNE Lewis M. Dixon, Sea Cliff, N. Y. Application July 29, 1933, Serial No. 682,838

11 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in wrapping machines of the type in which wrapping material is placed about the objects to be wrapped, and has for its purpose the reduction of the cost of wrapping and the production of a novel and neat package of attractive appearance. e invention consists in the novel parts, construe ions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown one embodiment of my invention, but I do not limit myself to this particular design, since a variety of modications may be made without departing from the spirit 'of the invention. 0f l5 the drawings;

f Fig. 1 is a vertical view partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a plan view;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation;

Fig. 4 is a detail of portion of the transfer mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a detail of the transfer mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a detail of the wrapper; feeder;

Fig. 7 is a detail of the Wrapper cutting and forming device;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are details of the wrappers;

Fig. 11 is a portion of a strip of wrapping material;

Fig. 12 is a detail of the operating lever.

In the several drawings like characters denote the same or similar parts and arrows indicate the direction of motion or rotation. Briefly, the method of operation of my new machine is as follows: The wrapper, when completed, consists of three parts, viz., a stiffening ring 17, having a heat reactive adhesive such as a shellac compound on its outer surface, a lower membrane, 25, and an upper membrane 34, assembled as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. A disc of the membraner 25, is cut from a strip or web of material 40 vWhile the ring 1'7 is in position on the disc of wrapping material. .The ring, centered on the disc of wrapping material, is pushed through a close fitting heated metal tube, which folds the outer rim of the wrapping material over the outer surface of the ring and heats the cementing material on the outside of the ring and causes the yfolded-over portion of the membrane to adhere to the ring. Next the article, or articles, to be wrapped are placed in the partially finished- "0 wrapper anda disc of wrapping material is cut for the top of the wrapper and folded over and' My invention is directed primarily to novel `and useful mechanism for placing wrappers on articles of uniform size andshape, such, for example, as spools of typewriter ribbon, paper boxes or similar articles, but may also be used to Wrap loose materials, such as candy, pills, or other similar materials. The finished wrapper, shown in Fig. 10, consists of a stiffening ring 17, of cardboard or other suitable material, and two discs of wrapping material, 25 and 34, lthe outer circumferential portions of which are folded over the outside of the stiffening ring and cemented thereto by a cementing material capable of becoming adhesive upon the application of heat, and which has previously been applied to the outer surface of the stiifening ring. Such a wrapper is described in my co-pending application Ser. No. 628,668, filed August 13, 1932.

For clarity of description the machine may be considered as composed of several groups of mechanisms having related functions; first, the cam drum and its cooperating levers, which control all positive or progressive motions of the working parts and springs which actuate all return motions of levers; second, the transfer mechanism, by which the package is transferred from one position to another for succeeding operations; third, the wrapper feeding, measuring and printingmechanism; and fourth, the two wrapper cutting, folding and heating mechanisms, which cutout the discs of wrapping material from the mid-portion of a continuous strip thereof, which is wider than the discs, fold it over the outside of the stiifening ring, and attach the Wrapper to the ring by the application of heat. There are auxiliary devices which will be described in their proper places.

It is to be understood that the above general description and also the following more minute description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention, but are not restrictive thereof.

vIn brief, the operationsl performed by my machine are as follows; and take place in the following order: A Astiffening ring having a heat reactive adhesive material on its outer surface is positioned on a strip of Wrapping material, and while so positioned, a disc piece of the wrapping material larger than the stiffening ring, is cut from the strip of wrapping material, and is folded over the bottom edge of the stiifening ring and held in place, while heat isapplied to seal the 5 circumferential portion of the Wrapping material to the outer surface of the stiiening ring. 'I'he partially completed wrappen-'see Fig. 9,-con= sisting of the stifiening ring 17 and one disc of wrapping material 25, is then moved'to a posi- -ferential edge of the wrapping material to the outer surface of the stiffening ring, thus completing the wrapping.

A frame 1, with legs, 2, supports the entire. machine. Mounted in bearings 3, on shaft 4, is a rotatable cam drum 5, upon the surface of which are fixed cams as hereinafter described, by means i of which the various movements of parts of the machine are controlled and timed closely. On the shaft 4 is a drive pulley 6, to ,which is attached a friction disc clutch 7, which is keyed to the shaft 4. The disc clutch 7 is moved intoand out of action by a pair of expansion wedge collars, 8 and 9, which are controlled by levers 10 and 11, and rods l0 and 11', by means of the foot pedal 12 attached to shaft 13 in well known manner. Depressing the pedal 12 alters the relative position of wedge collars 8 and 9, which results in pressing together the discs of the disc clutch 7, the pressure being resisted on one side by the collar 7 fixed to shaft 4, and causes the driving pulley, 6, to rotate the shaft 4 and cam drum 5. Upon release of pressure on foot pedal 12 the spring 14 lifts pedal and releases clutch 7, so that the machine is in operation only if and while foot pedal 12 is depressed.

The driving pulley 6 is rotated continuously from any suitable source of power, not shown in the drawings. The cam drum 5 has attached to its outer surface the cams A, B, C, D, E, F and G, which contact respectively with levers A', B', C', D', E', F and G', by means of which motion is imparted to the various movable parts of the mechanism. 'I'he vertical supply tube 15, Fig. 1 having an open top -and bottom, and supported with its bottom open end above the top of shelf 30, a distance slightly greater than the height ofv the stiffening rings, holds a supply of stiening rings 17, and the vertical supply tube 16 holds a supply of articles 18 to be wrapped. Two stations for sources of supply of wrapping material in the form of rolls are provided, one is the roll 19 on shaft 20, supportedV by uprights 21, and the other is roll 22, on shaft 23, supported by uprights 24. The path of travel of the wrapping material or membrane 25 from the roll 19 is downward to guide roller 26, thence under the printing device 27, where any desired marking may be printed on 'the wrapping material by any suitable means not forming a part of this invention; thence over guide rollers 28 and 29 to the top of shelf 30; thence along the top of shelf 30, under slide 31, and under supply tube l5, to and partially around measuring roller 32; thence partially around pressure roller 33; thence over the top of roll 22; and thence to a receptacle such as a basket, not shown in the drawings.

'Ihe path of the wrapping material 34 from the roll 22 is downward over guide roller 34a; thence over the top of shelf- 35, over guide roller 36; thence downward to guide roller 37, and upward over guide rolle'r 38; thence under the -heating tube 87a to guide roller 39; thence to measuring roller 32, where it joins the strip of wrapping material from roll 19, and passes around measuring roller 32 and pressure roller 33; thence over the top of roll 22 and downwardly to a receptacle not shown in the drawings.

It is to be understood thatthis strip of wrapping material is somewhat wider than the disc or piece cut out of its mid-portion, so that the strip remains continuous after the pieces are cut from the mid-portion thereof, as shown in Fig.

11, and can be drawn through the machine by measuring roller 32.

The transfer mechanism, by means of which the wrapper and contents are transferred from one position to the next, consists of a sliding assembly shown in detail in Fig. 4. The lever A2 is pivotally and slidably connected to the yoke 40, to which is attached a-thin cut-off plate 41 and two bar links 42 and 43, which are pivotally connected at their opposite ends to a pair of finger bars 44 and 45, each pivotally connected to slidable bars 46 and 47, which are guided by four guide bearings 48. To the bar 46 is attached by means orI a slotted sleeve 49 a section of toothedl rack 50. 'Position of the finger bars 44 and'45, as shown in the full lines in Fig. 4, is the article-receiving-position, and the position shown` of the stiffening ring 17, and simultaneously the yoke 40 contacts with the ends of the bars 46-and 47, thus pushing the bars through their guides 43 and moving tlie rack 50. Upon reversing the motion of the yoke 40 the finger bars swing outwardly and the bars 46 and 47 and rack 50 move 'in the opposite direction, but the slotted sleeve 49 permits the rack 50 to move a distance which is less than the stroke or travel of the bar.46 by the length of the travel of the pin 51 in the slot 49. 'Ihus the travel of the rack 50 may be varied or adjusted to the desired amount for the'purpose hereinafter set forth.

. A' second transfer mechanism is shown in detail in Fig. 5, and is constructed in a manner somewhat similar to the mechanism just `described. It has a yoke 52 actuated by the lever A3 through the stud 53 in slot 54. To the ends of the yoke 52 are attached rods 55 and 56 pivotally connected to three pairs of rotatable flnger bars, 5'7

and 58, 59 and 60, 61 and 62. These fingers, each pivotally mounted on slidable bars 63 and 64. movable in-guides 65, are alternately closed and opened by the reciprocating motion of the yoke 52 and alternately grip, move forward and release the articles 17, as described above.

'I'he wrapper material measuring, feeding and printing mechanism consists of a pair of contacting rollers 32 and 3,3, see Fig. 6, one of which, roller 32, has a rubber covered surface togive greater tractive power and the other, roller 33, serves to` press the wrapping material tightly against the measuring roller 32. Onrthe shaft 66 of the measuring roller is loosely mounted a gear 67, which'meshes with rack 50 of thetransfer mechanism described above. Between the gear 67 and the shaft 66 is a ratchet 68\and pall 69, arranged in the conventional manner, so that when the gear 67 is rotated in one direction by the movement of the rack 50, the roller )will be driven by means of the pall 69 engagingl the ratchet 68,

direction by a reversed movement of the rack 50, the roller 32 will remain stationary. As the trav` el of the rack 50 is adjustable by means of the slotted sleeve 49, and the pin 51, so the amount of rotation of the roller 32 may be adjusted to measure and feed through the machine just the right amount of wrapping material required for each package.

Two printing devices, 27 and 27a, of any suitable type are provided to print such markings as may be desired on each of the two sides of the wrapper. They are so placed, as shown in Figure 1, that the wrapping material is caused to travel such a distance after being printed that a quick drying ink has time to dry before reaching the next succeeding operation. After passing printing device 27, the strip of wrapping material 25 passes over rollers 28 and 29 and along the top of shelf 30, before its printed side comes into contact with any object. After passing printing device 27a, the strip of wrapping material 34 passes over roller 36 and down to roller 37, before coming into contact with any object, and then only into non-sliding contact with the surface of the roller 37.

The wrapper-cutting, folding and heating mechanisms are also dual and are so placed as to be served, one from shelf 30 and the other from shelf 35. The details of these mechanisms are shown in Figs. 1 and 7. Supported by the upright bracket is sleeve bearing 71, within which is slidably mounted a vertical sleeve 72, to the lower end of which is attached a circular knife 73, and to the top end is attached cap 74. Within the 'sleeve 72 is a slidable rod 75, to the lower end of which is attached a plunger head 76, and to the upperl end of which is attached a pressure plate 77. Surrounding the sleeve 72 is also spring 83, compressed to exert an expanding pressure between bearing 71 and cap 74. Surrounding the rod 75 is a spring 84, normally compressed to exert an expanding pressure between the cap 74 and the pressure plate 77.

Supported above shelf 30 is a plate 85, carrying a guide ring 86, which surrounds and guides the movement of the pressure head 78. Attached to /s'helf 30 on its under side is a hollow cylindrical heating. tube 87, having a stationary circular knife 88 arranged to cooperate with the movable f knife 73, and which also has an annular chamber 89 for the circulation of heating fluid. The lower end of heating tube 87 is flanged and the inner surface of the flange 90 is relieved on one side 91 to prevent interference with the free movement of the wrapper from the tube.

The second cutting, folding and heating mechanism is substantially similar to the one just described, except that it is inverted` and is carried by drop brackets 92 and 93 from shelf 35 and the heating tube 87a similar to heating tube 87, is supported by shelf 30. In the drawings, similar numerals indicate similar parts of the two mechanisms with the letter a added to those numerals which apply to the second or inverted mechamsm.

The heating fluid for circulating in the annular chambers 89 and 89a is stored in a tank 94, supported on the frame of the machine in an elevated position. 'I'he tank is provided with a thermometer 95 to indicate the temperature of the liquid, and with the open vent 96, which lpermits replenishing the fluid in the tank 94,

and provides for the fr ee expansion and contraction of the liquid. A heater 97, preferably of the thermostatically controlled electrical type, is provided to heat the liquid in the system. Pipes 98 and 99 lead from the heater 94 to the annular chambers 89 and 89a, and pipes 100 and 101 connect these chambers with the heater 97. Pipe 102 leads from the tank 94 to the heater 97. The

supply tube 15 is supported by plate 85 and holds a supply of stiffening rings 17. Its bottom open end is alternately covered and uncovered by the plate 41, as it is reciprocated by the lever A2, permitting one ring at a time to drop on shelf 30 when bottom of tube 15 is opened by withdrawal of the plate 4l. The supply tube 16 is supported by shelf 30 and holds a supply of articles 18 to be wrapped. Its lower open end is spaced above plate 118 a distance slightly greater than the height of one of the articles. Slide or pusher 115 is adapted to pass under the bottom of tube 16 on plate 118, as hereinafter described.

To the cam drum 5 are attached cams,-see Figs. 2 and 3,-which control the motions of the working parts described above. Cam A is in the form of a n on the surface of the drum and contacts along one of its sides with roller 103 on the adjustable arm 104 pivoted to lever A', imparting a motion in a horizontal plane to the lever A'. 'I'he screw 105 serves to give fine adjustment to the movement of the lever A', which has its fulcrum, 106, supported on the frame member 107 of themachine. 'I'his lever is bifurcated at 108, the upper arm A2 being loosely attached lby means of the pin 109, cooperating with slotted opening 110 to the yoke 40 of upper transfer Slide; while the lower arm, A3 is loosely attached by means of the pin 53, cooperating with slotted opening 54 to the lower transfer slide.

Cam B on cam drum 5 is a radial lcam, which contacts an adjustable roller not shown in the drawing on the end of lever B', having its fulcrum 111 attached to the frame member 107 of the machine, and its end portion loosely attached to the collar 80, by means of pin 81, cooperating with slotted holes in the end of the lever B'.

'Ihe adjustable rollers on the ends of levers B and C', which for clarity are not shown in the drawings, are similar in construction to adjustable rollers on lever A', see Fig. 2, described above, and on lever E', see Fig. 3, described hereinafter.

The cam C on cam drum 5 is a radial cam which contacts an adjustable roller not shown in the drawings, on the end of lever C', having its sition after movement by cam D by the spring 117. The slide 115 is supported on plate 118, which is elevated above shelf 35, a distance slightly in excess of the height of the articles being wrapped', and extends underneath the supply tube 16. Cam E contacts adjustable roller 119 on swinging arm 120, attached by pin 121 to lever E'. Screw 122 provides accurate adjustment of the movement of lever E', which has its fulcrum 123 attached to the frame of the machine and its end in contact with pressure plate 77a.

Cam F contacts an adjustable roller on a swinging arm with pin and screw, not shown in the drawings, but exactly similar to and directly behind roller 119 in Fig. 3. This roller is mounted on the end of lever F', having its fulcrum 123 in common with fulcrum of lever E', attached to frame of the machine and its end loosely connected to collar 80a by means of pins 81a, cooperating with slotted holes in the. end of lever F'.

Cam G is a fin-shaped cam which contacts along one of its sidesrwith lever G', pivoted to the frame of the machine by fulcrum 124, and with its curved end resting on ,shelf 30. Spring 125 serves to return lever G' to its former position after having been moved therefrom by cam G. A guide rib 126 on the surface of shell 30, serves -to guide the wrapped package to a receptacle (not shown in the drawings) at the end of shelf 30.

The manner of operation of my machine will now be described by following the progress of one complete wrapping operation, as follows:

vRolls 19 and 22 of wrapping material, such, for example, as paper or other suitable membrane ous material preferably of the transparent varieties of cellulose products, are placed on shafts y20 and 23. This wrapping material is in the form of strips wider than the diameter of the circular l knives 73 and 73a, so that when portions are cut therefrom the strip will remain continuous, as described above. The end of the strip from roll 19 is passed around roller 26 under printing device 27, around rollers 28 and 29, under slide 31, over heating tube 87, around measuring roll 32,

.and pressure roll 33, over roll 22 and to basket on the floor, not shown. The end of the strip of wrapping material from roll 22 is passed around roller`34a, under printing device 27a, over roller 36, around rollers 37 and 38, under heating tube 87a around roller 39, between measuring roller 32 and pressure roller 33, thence over roll 22 and to receptacle on floor, not shown.

A supply of stiifening rings madeof cardboard, or similar or equivalent material, and coated on their exterior surface with a heat reactive cementing material, is placed in spply tube 15, and a supply of articles to be wrapped is placed in supply tube 16. The printing devices 27 and 27a are placed in readiness for operation. Heat is applied to heater 97 until the temperature in storage tank 94 reaches the desired degree, as indicated by thermometer 95. I find a temperature of 150 deg. F. satisfactory. Power is then applied to the shaft 4 by application of pressure to foot pedal 12, causing cam drum 5 to rotate in the direction of the arrow. It is to be understood that at times `several movements take place simultaneously, but in this description only those are described which are causing operations to be performed upon the particular wrapper or article being wrapped, the progressof which through the machine is outlined.

Beginning with the movement of the cam drum 5, at the point where cam A comes into contact with roller 103 on lever A', the lever moves the yoke 40 in the direction of the arrow and pushes plate 41 under tube 15 just above the bottom stiffening ring container therein, thus supporting the supply of stiffening rings and freeing the bottom ring resting on shelf 35. Simultaneously, the links 42 and 43 rotate iinger bars 44 and 45 about pins 44a and 45a, causing the bars-to grip the -stiifening ring in position V and transfer it to position W, where it is exactly centered over heating ring 87. This movement of lever A' has simultaneously moved rod 46 and caused the rack 50 to rotate measuring roll 32 through the instrumentality of gear 67, thus pulling the wrapping material forward.

V88 in heating tube 87, thus severing a portion of the wrapping material which is somewhat larger than the stifening ring 17.'

Further rotation of the cam drum 5 brings cam C into contact with the roller on lever C', thereby depressing rod to which is attached plunger head 76 which in its downward stroke presses the stiffening ring and the disc of wrapping material into heating tube 87. 'This motion folds the outer portion of the wrapping material over the outer. surface of the stiil'ening ring. Here the plunger pauses briefly as cam C is moved through a small portion of the revolution of the cam drum 5. In this pause the heat from the heating tube 87 renders the heat sensitive adhesive on the outer surface of the ring active and the pressure and heat kcombined sticks the folded-over portion of the wrapping material to the ring. Further movement of cam C causes the plunger head 76 to push the partially fabricated wrapperv out of the lower end of heating tube and deposits it on lower shelf 31 in position W'. lFurther rotation of cam drum brings cam A again into contact with roller 103 on lever A', the lower arm A3 of which moves yoke 52 and rods 55 and 56 in the direction of the arrows, causing finger bars 57 and 58- to converge and grip the partly assembled wrapper in position W', and move it over to position X. i

As cam A is further rotated, the spring 127 returns lever A to its former position, opening iinger bars 44 and 45. Upon the next succeeding revolution of cam drum 5, when cam A contacts Y the roller 103 on lever A', the movement of the i. rods 55 and 56 converge the three pairs of finger bars and finger bars 59 and 60 grip the wrapper in vthe tube overthe top of plate 118 into position Y,

where it drops into the ring of the partially completed wrapper. When cam D has passed out of contact with the roller 114 on lever D', the slide is returned to its former position by the spring 117.

Further rotation of cam drum 5 brings cam A again into contact with roller on lever A', and again advances the partially completed wrapper, now containing -the article being wrapped, from position Y (see Figs. 2 and 5) moves it under the strip of wrapping material to position Z, by means of finger bars 61 and 62. The wrapper is now centred under heating tube 87a and resting on plunger head 76a. Further rotation of cam drum 5 brings cam E into contact with the roller on lever F' and pushes up pressure head 78a and its ring of resilient material presses the strip of wrapping material firmly against the lowerv end of heating tube 87a, while further movement of lever F' pushes up the circular knife 73a, and severs a disc of the wrapping material, somewhat larger than the package. Further movement of cam drum 5 brings cam E into contact with roller on lever E', pushing up rod 75a and plunger head 76a, and forcing the package up into heating tube 87a, at the same time folding the circumferential portion of the disc of wrapping material down over the outer surface of the stiffening ring. As the assembled package is pushed up through the heating ring, the temperature of the outer surface is raised to a point at which the coating of adhesive material on the outer surface of the stiifening ring is softened and bonds the wrapping material to the ring. At the end of the stroke of rod 75a the completedpackage rests on top of plunger head '76a at the level of the top of shelf 30 in position Z, Fig. 1. The completely assembled package is shown in detail in Fig. 10. Further movement of cam drum 5 brings cam G into lateral contact with lever G', moving the wrapped article along the top of shelf 30 guided by guide rib 126 to any suitablereceptacle or chute, not shown, at the end of the shelf 30. Spring returns lever G to its former position.

'I'he operations outlined above are described as if each took place consecutively and independently, whereas, in my machine, several of these operations occur simultaneously and some overlapothers in point of time. Each revolution of the cam drum 5 completes all the operations required to wrap packages, but there are in process of wrapping simultaneously four packages,-for example, when cam A operates lever A', a stiifening ring is moved from position V beneath supply tube 15 to position W over heating tube 87 by finger bars 44 and 45, a partially assembled package is moved from position W beneath heating tube to position X by finger bars 57 and 58, while nger bars 59 and 60 move a package from position X to positionY, opposite supply tube 16. A partly assembled package with article therein is moved by finger bars 61 and 62 from position Y to position Z beneath heating tube 87a. Thus four packages are in transit through the machine simultaneously. At the completion of the cycle each package has advanced one step and the finished package is in position Z' at the top of heating tube 87a ready to be removed from the machine by the lever G.

Havingdescribed my machine and its mode of operation so that one skilled in the art may make and use the same, I now state what l claim to be new and novel and for which I pray that Letters Patent be granted.

I claim:

1. A machine for wrapping articles, comprising in combination stations for dual sources of supply of strip wrapping material, means for feeding said Wrapping material, station for a source of supply of preformed stiifening rings, station for a source of supply of articles to be wrapped, dual cutters operable to sever portions of the wrapping material from the strip, means for positioning said stiifening rings in relation to one of said cutrters, means for depositing articles to be wrapped within said stiifening rings; dual heating rings, means for supplying heat to said heating rings, plungers cooperating with each of said heating rings and adapted to push the wrapper through said rings, reciprocatable pressure heads surrounding and partially enclosing each of said cutters, adapted to hold the strips of Wrapping material while being. severed by said cutters, transfer means adapted to intermittently advance the partially fabricated wrapper fromeach position to the next succeeding position, and means for actuating each of said instrumentalities in timed relationship one with another.

2. A machine forwrapping articles, comprising in combination stationsfor dual sources of supply of strip wrapping material, means for feeding wrapping material, stations for sources of vsupply of stiffening rings and of articles to be wrapped, dual cutters for severing portions of the wrapping material from the strip, means for positioning said stiifening rings in relation to one of said cutters, means for transferring articles to be wrapped from said source of supply to Within said stift'ening rings; dual heating rings conforming to the contour of the stiifening rings, means for heating said heating rings, plungers cooperating with said heating ringsand movable there through, means for intermittently advancing said stiifening rings and partially fabricated wrapper from each operating position to the next succeeding position, and means for actuating each of said instrumentalities in timed operative relationship one with another.

3. A machine for wrapping articles, comprising in combination stations for dual sourcesl of supply of strip wrapping material, means for feeding said wrapping material, station for a source of supply of preformed stiifening rings, station for a source of supply of articles to be wrapped, dual cutters operable to sever portions of the wrapping material from the strip, meansforpositioning said stiifening rings in relation to one of said cutters, i

means for depositing articles to be wrapped within said stiffening rings; dual heating rings, means for supplying heat to said heating rings, plungers cooperating with each of said heating rings and adapted to push the Wrapper through said rings, reciprocatable pressure heads surrounding and partially enclosing each of said cutters, adapted to hold the strips of wrapping material while being severed by said cutters, transfer means adapted to intermittently advance the partially fabricated wrapper from each position to the next succeeding position, and means including a rotatable cam drum adapted to actuate each of said instrumentalities in timed relationship one with another.

4. A machine for wrapping articles, comprisingv in combination stations for dual sources of supply of strip wrapping material, means for feeding said wrapping material, station for a source of supply of preformed stiening rings, station for a source of supply of articles to be wrapped, dual cutters operable to sever portions of the Wrapping material from the strip, means for positioning said stiifening rings in relation to one of said cutters, means for depositing articles to be wrapped within said stifening rings; dual heating rings, means for supplying heat to said heating rings, plungers cooperating with each of said heating rings and adapted to push the wrapper through said rings, reciprocatable pressure heads surrounding and partially enclosing each of said cutters, adapted to hold the strips of wrapping material while being severed by said cutters, transfer means adapted to intermittently advance the partially fabricated wrapper from each position to the next succeeding position, and means including arotatable drum having cams attached thereto adapted to actuate each of said instrumentalities source of supply of articles to be wrapped, dual cutters operable to sever portions of the mapping material from the strip, means for positioning said stiiening rings in relation to one of said cutters, means for depositing articles to be wrapped within said lstiflening rings; dual heating rings, means for supplying heat to said heating rings, plungers cooperating with each of said heating rings and adapted to push the wrapper through said rings, reciprocatable pressure heads surrounding and partially enclosing each of said cutters, adapted to hold the strips of wrapping material while being severed by said cutters, transfer means adapted to intermittently advance the par.- tially fabricated wrapper from each position to the next succeeding position; means including a rotatable drum having cams attached to the surfacev thereof, and levers cooperating with each of said cams and adapted to impart motion to each of said instrumentalities in timed relationship one with another.

' 6. A machine for wrapping articles, comprising in combination stations for dual sources of supply of strip wrapping material, means for intermittently feeding said wrapping material, including a measuring roller having a ratchet and a pawl cooperating therewith, which is attached to a pinion cooperating with a reciprocatable rack, station for a source of supplyv of preformed .stiifening rings, station for a source of supply `of articlesto be wrapped, dual cutters operable to sever portions of the wrapping material from the strip, means for positioning said stiflening rings in relation to one of said cutters, means for depositing articles to be wrapped within said stiiening rings; dual heating rings, means for supplying heat to said' heating rings, plungers cooperating with each of said heating rings and adapted to push the wrapper through said rings, reciprocatable pressure heads surrounding and partially enclosing each of said cutters, adapted to hold-the strips of wrapping material while being severed by said cutters, transfer means adapted to intermittently advance the partially fabricated wrapper from each position to the next succeeding position, and means for actuating each of said instrumentalities in timed relationship one with another.

'1. A machine for wrapping articles, comprising in combination stations for dual sources of supply of strip wrapping material, means for intermittently feeding said wrapping material, including a measuring roller having a ratchet and a pawl cooperating therewith, which is 'attached to a pinion cooperating with a reciprocatable rack of variable stroke, stationv for a source of supply of preformed stiffening rings, station for a source of supply of articles to be wrapped, dual cutters operable to sever portions of thewrapping material from the strip, means for positioning said stiffening rings in relation to one of said cutters, means for depositing articles to be wrapped within said stiffening rings; dual heating rings, means for supplying heat to said heating rings, plungers cooperating with each of said heating'rings and adapted to push the wrapper through said rings, reciprocatable pressure heads surrounding and partially enclosing each of said cutters, adapted to hold the strips of wrapping material while being severed by said cutters, transfer means adapted to intermittently advance the partially fabricated wrapper from each position to the next succeeding positiomand means for actuating each of said instrumentaiities intimed relationship one with another.

8. A machine for wrapping articles, comprising in combination stations for dual sources of supply of strip wrapping material, means for feeding said wrapping material, station for a source of supply of preformed stiffening rings, station for a source of supply of articles to be wrapped, dual cutters operable to sever portions of the wrapping material from the mid-portion of the strip,

and having a width less than the width of the strip, means for positioning said stifening ringsy in relation to one of said cutters, means for depositing articles to be wrapped within said stiffening rings; dual heating rings, means for supplying heat to said heating rings, plungers cooperating with each of said heating rings, and adapted to push the wrapper through said rings, reciprocatabie pressure heads surrounding and partially enclosing each of said cutters, adapted to hold the strips of wrapping material while being severed by said cutters, transfer means adapted to intermittently advance the partially. fabricated wrapper from each position to the next succeeding position, and means for actuating each of said instrumentalities in timed relationship one with another.

9. A machine for wrapping articles, comprising in combination stations for dual sources of supply of strip wrapping material, means for feeding said wrapping material, station for a source of supply of preformedzstiiening rings, station for a source of supply of articles to be wrapped, dual cutters operable to sever portions of the wrapping material from the strip, means for positioning said stiffening rings in relation to one of said cutters, means for depositing articles to be wrapped within said stiffening rings; dual heating r'ings, having hollow chambers therein, means for supplying heat to said heating rings, plungers cooperating with each of said heating rings and adapted to push the wrapper through said rings, reciprocatable pressure heads surrounding and partially enclosing each of said cutters, adapted to hold the wrapped, dual cutters operable to sever portions of the wrapping material from/the strip, means vfor positioning said stiffening 4-rings in relation to one of said cutters, means for depositing articles to be wrapped within said stiffening rings;

dual heating rings, positioned on opposite sides of the path of travel of wrapper, having hollow chambers therein, means for supplying heat to said heating rings, plungers lcooperating with each of said heating rings and adapted to push the wrapper through said rings, reciprocatable pressure heads surrounding and partially enclosing each of said cutters, adapted'to hold the strips of wrapping material while being severed by said cutters, transfer means adapted to intermittently advance the partially fabricated wrapper from each positiongto the next succeeding position, and means for actuating each of said instrumentalities in timed relationship one with another.

11". A machine for wrapping articles, comprising in combination stations for dual sources of supply of strip wrapping material, means for feeding said Wrapping material, station for a source of supply of preformed stiffening rings, station for a source of supply of articles to be Wrapped, dual cutters operable to sever portions of the Wrapping material from the strip, means for positioning said stiffening rings in relation to one of said cutters, means for depositing articles to be wrapped within said stiffening rings; dual heating rings, having hollow chambers therein, means for circulating heated fluid through said chambers, plunger's cooperating with each of said heatingl rings and adapted to push the wrapper through said rings, reciprocatable pressure heads surrounding and partially enclosing each of said cutters, adapted to hold the strips of Wrapping material While being severed by said cutters, transfer means adapted to intermittently advance the partially fabricated wrapper from each position to the next succeeding position, and

means for actuating each of said instrumentali-l l0` ties in timed relationship one with another.

LEWIS M. DIXON. 

